Press Review

“Azg” believes that the Armenian genocide issue is now “at the center of the Turkey-EU relationship.” “A number of countries are, no doubt, exploiting it. It has always been like that.” But the paper says the Turks have only themselves to blame for that because external pressure remains for the Armenians “the only way of dealing with Ankara.” “And this truth is well understood by those countries have accepted the fact of the Armenian Genocide over the past decade. The list of those countries is impressive: Russia, France, Greece, Italy, the Vatican, Canada, Poland, Slovakia.”

“Azg” is also impressed with last week’s debates in the German parliament during which “the Germans apologized to the Armenian people.” “And if Germany too accepts the fact this June it will be of utmost importance. For Germany was not only Ottoman Turkey’s ally but also accomplice during the First World War.”

“Aravot” guards against competition among various Armenian parties and other organizations in the campaign for international recognition of the genocide. “The only thing which we can discuss is the posture of the Armenian elite in the late 19th century and the early 20th century,” editorializes the paper. “Was everything done to organize self-defense [of Ottoman Armenians]? Was the Armenians enthusiasm about the Young Turk revolution [of 1908] justified? Was it permissible to unconditionally and absolutely trust the Russians?”

“Azg” cites claims by the Turkish daily “Milliet” that the Armenian and Turkish governments are secretly negotiating in third countries. The Turkish paper has reported that the foreign ministers of the two countries have agreed on a “package of confidence-building measures.” The governments are said to be planning to forge direct economic, political and cultural links without formally establishing diplomatic relations. “Azg” does not believe in the credibility of the information.

According to “Hayots Ashkhar,” Galust Sahakian, a leader of the governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), believes that the Armenian opposition is too divided to bring about regime change in the country. “The opposition is setting no goals other than seizing power and securing its parochial interests,” he says. Sahakian says most Armenians are against actions threatened by the opposition.

“Aravot” looks at the governing parties’ decision to sign an opposition statement condemning the disruption of an opposition rally in Sevan. “It is not clear whom the Republican Party, Dashnaktsutyun and Orinats Yerkir are condemning. After all, they are in government and can fire some relevant officials instead of making populist statements. Or can they?”